Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-06-24
SHE GOT THERE JUST THE SAME.
The MayfiOwer Crosses the Finish Line
First in the Eastern Yacht Club Ne.
satta-The Gaiatea Fourteen Minutes
or Nearly Three Miles Behind.
MARBLEHEAp. Mass. Lune %

MARBLEHEAD. Mass, June %.
After two DAYS of unfavorsble weather,
making many postponements, the regatta OF
the Eastern Yacht Club was sailed TODAY.
there being wind enough TO make the race
possible The chief interest was in the can
test between the Mayfiower and Gslates in
the first class sloops.
The Mayfiower and Sachem won easily in
their respective classes, the only thoroughly
good contest being the race between the
Sschem and Iroquis for the first Is miles.
The Sachem was handled in superb man
ner and kept well to the windwsrd from the
start to the finish
The condition of the Puritans bottom was
| such that her owner, Commodore Forbes,
didn't deem it advisable to have her sail.
At 8 o'clock the wind was blowing from
the southwest at a velocity of nearly 40 miles
an hour, while outside tremendous sea was
running. This gave promise of rare sport
and the harbor presented a scene of remark
able activity when it was announced that the
race would be sailed.
After ii o'clock. or from the beginning of
the race to the finish, there were no les. than
a dozen, more or less, violent storms of wind
and rain, making it one of the "nastiest"
yachting days possible. but there was plenty
OF excitement among the yachtmen and a
great deal of discomfort on the part of the
spectators on the steamers and other pleas
ure crafts. who followed the yachts. The
course for the schooners. first and second
classes, was from point between half way
rock and the judges boat, anchored half
mile southwesterly, u miles to the returning
stake near Harding's bell buoy, thence east
erly II miles to similar stake, thence to
starting point. Schooners in the third class
and sloops in the fourth class sailed to the
southwest turning point and returned to the
start. distance "a miles.
At 10 80, when the yachts began to get un-
der way for the starting point, the harbor was
full of crafts of all descriptions laden with
spectators.
The Gaatea was the first to leave the har
Dor. Shortly after ten o'clock she pointed
out under mainsail and jib, being followed
by the Mayfower, Shona, Gitana, Huron,
America, Adrienne and others.
At III o'clock the warning signal was given
and the fleet hegan manOeuvring for fsvcra-
Bile positions nearer the line.
At ll.25 the preparatory signals were given
from the judges boat, Confidence, and five
minutes later long whistle signaled the
start.
The Mayfower was first over the line at
l 81 30. being closely followed by the Iro-
quis and Galatea The others all got across
WITHIN the time limit.
Atl2 o'clock, with the wind still blowing
thirty knots, the Mayfiower came about for
long reach to starboard, and these tactics
were quickly adopted by the Galatea. Both
kept on the starboard tack until able to make
past the turning point with another tack to
port
At 1920, the wind having moderated, the
Mavflower sent up her topmast and hoisted a
working topsail. She turned the first stake
at | "a p. NJ, the Galatea at LAG. As each
of the leaders came around the turn she was
greeted with chorus of steam whistles from
the vessels that had collected at that point.
Five minutes after turning the Mayfiowers
lib topsail was broken out of its stops, and
similar sail was set on the Gaatea as soon as
she had turnad.
The Sachem turned the first stake at Sc 80
carrying all her lower sails and her working
topsail, and as soon as she turned her jibtop-
sail was set
By some blunder on board the Iroquis her
jibtopsail was broken out of the stops five
minutes before she turned the stake, and this
so retarded her that the Sachem was far in
she lead when shesmade the turn.
The Mavfower rounded the second turn
about So 80 and the Galetea aboutS OF As
The weather was squally, with almost con-
slant heavy down pour of rain, and the spin
makers were not set. Here the Msyfower
show ed her best sailing. Not only did she
run away from the Galatea like a racehorse
from hack, but she left the steam yachts
and tugs far astern. When she crossed the
line winner babel of sound by the steam
whistles was made as a salute, which was
repeated when the Galatea and Sachem had
crossed.
The Mavfiower crossed the finish line at
4 tka 10
in her class, and beating the Galatea four
teen minutes or nearly three miles.
1t. Hem and George H. Warren were the
guests of the Eastern yacht club and dined
there tonight.